More than three-dozen prominent figures are scheduled to attend, including the commissioners of the Power Four conferences, NCAA president Charlie Baker, current and former college athletic directors, plus big names like Tiger Woods and Nick Saban.

The Saving College Sports Roundtable will discuss solutions to college sports from a legislative perspective amid sports’ constant evolution, especially with name, image and likeness professionalizing student-athletes.

Yahoo! Sports reports Trump will serve as chair of the roundtable, alongside vice chair Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, and Randy Levine, New York Yankees president.

Pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow were scheduled to attend, but will not be there, per Yahoo! Sports.

Here’s a look at the reported names invited or attending the Saving College Sports Roundtable, according to the report:

Who’s attending Trump’s college sports roundtable?

Here’s a look at who’s potentially joining Trump at the Saving College Sports Roundtable on March 6, per multiple reports:

• Val Ackerman, Big East commissioner
• Charlie Baker, NCAA president
• Pete Bevacqua, Notre Dame athletic director
• David Blitzer, managing partner of New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia 76ers
• Mack Brown, former Texas/North Carolina coach
• Cody Campbell, Texas Tech donor and board member
• Gerry Cardinale, sports asset manager
• Joe Castiglione, former Oklahoma athletic director
• Jim Clements, former Clemson, West Virginia president
• Ted Cruz, U.S Senator (Texas)
• John Currie, Wake Forest athletic director
• Ron DeSantis, Florida governor
• Scott Dolson, Indiana athletic director
• Boris Epsthyen, President Trump advisor
• Marc Ganis, sports business expert
• Doug Girod, Kansas chancellor
• Jeff Gold, Nebraska president
• Jonathan Kraft, New England Patriots president
• Lou Lamoriello, former New York Islanders general manager
• Urban Meyer, former Florida/Ohio State coach
• Gloria Nevarez, Mountain West commissioner
• Tim Pernetti, American Conference commissioner
• Tony Petitti, Big Ten commissioner
• Jim Phillips, ACC commissioner
• Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN
• Donde Plowman, Tennessee chancellor
• Jamie Pollard, Iowa State athletic director
• Condolezza Rice, former secretary of state
• Nick Saban, former Alabama coach
• Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
• Eric Schmitt, U.S. Senator (Missouri)
• Eric Shanks, Fox Sports CEO
• Adam Silver, NBA commissioner
• Jack Swarbrick, former Notre Dame athletic director
• Clay Travis, OutKick
• Charlie Ward, former Heisman Trophy winner
• Tiger Woods, pro golfer
• Brett Yormark, Big 12 commissioner

No current NCAA athletes invited to Trump college sports roundtable

Noticeably absent from the invitees list are current college athletes, something Athletes.org took issue with and penned a letter asking, ‘How can decisions about the future of college athletics be made without the voices of the athletes themselves?’

Temple football player Khalil Poteat added:

“We deserve a seat at the table. We as athletes are the reason the stands are filled, logos are worn and the game thrives the way it does… It is unfair and unfaithful to hold a discussion without the main attraction in mind. We deserve a say, just like the executives and leaders, in sports and in our futures. I believe that we, as athletes at every level, deserve to be at the table and fight for our best interest. We want college sports to thrive just like everyone else in the room. So let’s bond together to generate the best outcome for all.”

Two teams with legitimate aspirations to escape Pool D will meet in their openers of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 6 in Miami. 

Netherlands and Venezuela, which each have enjoyed past WBC success, are, at least on paper, playing for second place in Pool D. That’s because a loaded Dominican Republic team lurks, and while upsets can happen, it’s very likely the winner of Netherlands-Venezuela will have the inside track to at least the No. 2 quarterfinal berth out of the pool. 

Netherlands is already short-handed, though. The club lost versatile leadoff man Jurickson Profar after he tested positive a second time for performance-enhancing drugs through MLB’s testing program. Still, the squad has some admirable firepower, led by Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddane Rafaela and San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who are playing in their first and fourth WBCs, respectively.

Venezuela will be a tough matchup, though. Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. leads a powerful lineup that includes three-time batting champ Luis Arráez and veteran sluggers Salvador Perez and Willson and William Contreras. 

Both squads will aim to box out Israel and Nicaragua in Group D. 

Follow for live updates:

How to watch Netherlands vs Venezuela on Tubi

• Matchup: Netherlands vs. Venezuela
• Time: 12 p.m. ET
• Location: Miami (LoanDepot Park)
• TV: Tubi
• Streaming: FOX One App

Stream the World Baseball Classic on Fubo

Javier Sanoja puts Venezuela up 2-1 with solo home run

A power-packed Venezuelan lineup got its first home run from a most unlikely source.

Javier Sanoja, the Miami Marlins utilityman who hit just six homers last season, clubbed an Antwone Kelly first-pitch fastball for a solo homer to left in his home ballpark, giving Venezuela a 2-1 lead through two innings.

Druw Jones – manager’s son – ties it for Netherlands with double

Druw Jones is absolutely beating any charges that he’s a nepotism pick on Netherlands’ WBC team. The No. 9 hitter – and son of Hall of Famer and Netherlands manager Andruw Jones – stroked a two-out, game-tying double off Ranger Suárez, hustling to second to the quiet delight of his dad in the dugout.

Jones, a top prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was stranded at second as Suárez induced a groundout to end the inning in a 1-1 tie. But Suárez needed 29 pitches to escape the second, giving him 43 pitches as he drifts toward the 65-pitch limit for this pool-play round.

Acuña Jr., Arráez give Venezuela 1-0 first-inning lead

A stacked Venezuelan lineup looks as daunting in reality as it does on paper. Ronald Acuña Jr. doubled on the first pitch of the bottom of the first and Luis Arráez drove him home with a single through a drawn-in infield as Venezuela took 1-0 first-inning lead.

The partisan Venezuela crowd at Miami’s loanDepot Park didn’t need long to voice their enthusiasm, as Acuña drove Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Antwone Kelly’s first pitch into the gap in left center field. Maikel Garcia’s grounder to second moved Acuña to third and then Arráez, the three-time batting champ, rolled a grounder under shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ glove.

Venezuela starter Ranger Suárez needed just 14 pitches in the top of the first, yielding an infield single to leadoff man Ray-Patrick Didder, but retiring Boston Red Sox teammate Ceddane Rafaela on a fly to center.

Netherlands lineup today vs. Venezuela

1. Ray-Patrick Didder – LF
2. Ceddane Rafaela – CF
3. Xander Bogaerts – SS
4. Ozzie Albies – 2B
5. Didi Gregorious – 3B
6. Hendrik Clementina – DH
7. Sharlon Schoop – 1B
8. Chadwick Tromp – C
9. Druw Jones – RF

Venezuela lineup today vs Netherlands

Ranger Suárez – LHP

1. Ronald Acuña Jr – RF
2. Maikel García – 3B
3. Luis Arráez – 2B
4. Willson Contreras – 1B
5. Salvador Pérez – DH
6. Wilyer Abreu LF
7. William Contreras – C
8. Javier Sanoja – CF
9. Andrés Giménez – SS

Netherlands WBC roster

Pitchers: Kenley Jansen, Antwone Kelly, Lars Huijer, Jaydenn Estanista, Jaitoine Kelly, Kevin Kelly, Shairon Martis, JC Sulbaran, Jamdrick Cornelia, Wendell Floranus, Arij Fransen, Eric Mendez, Ryjeteri Merite, Justin Morales, Shawndrick Oduber, Derek West, Dylan Wilson

Catchers: Chadwick Tromp, Hendrik Clementina

Infielders: Ozzie Albies, Xander Bogaerts, Didi Gregorius, Juremi Profar, Sharlon Schoop

Outfielders: Ceddanne Rafaela, Druw Jones, Jakey Josepha, Ray-Patrick Didder, Dayson Croes, Delano Selassa

Venezuela WBC roster

Pitchers: Ranger Suárez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Antonio Senzatela, Jhonathan Díaz, Eduard Bazardo, José Buttó, Enmanuel De Jesus, Carlos Guzman, Yoendrys Gómez, Andrés Machado, Keider Montero, Daniel Palencia, Ricardo Sánchez, Angel Zerpa, Christian Suárez, Luinder Ávila, Anthony Molina

Catchers: Salvador Perez, William Contreras

Infielders: Luis Arraez, Willson Contreras, Maikel Garcia, Andrés Giménez, Eugenio Suárez, Gleyber Torres, Ezequiel Tovar

Outfielders: Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio, Wilyer Abreu, Javier Sanoja

Andruw Jones on Curacao connection

‘You see how baseball in Curaçao has grown. I’m so proud that I could lead some of these guys to believe in themselves, to go out there and chase their dream. Now that they’re all here and helping us try to win this tournament, it’s awesome,’ Netherlands manager Andruw Jones told reporters before the game.

‘I tell them all the time, take advantage of the opportunity they’re going to give you, and I can see a lot of them are doing it, so I’m very proud of that.’

Jackson Chourio injury update

Venezuela’s Jackson Chourio is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Netherlands after being hit with a pitch on Wednesday. Manager Omar Lopez said Chourio does not have a fracture and will be available to run and play defense if necessary.

2026 World Baseball Classic schedule

• Pool play: March 5-March 11
• Quarterfinals: March 13 & 14 (Houston and Miami)
• Semifinals: March 15 & 16 (Miami)
• Championship game: March 17 (Miami)

The official start of NFL free agency is just days away.

Teams are permitted to contact free agents starting at noon ET on March 9. Clubs can officially sign free agents once the NFL’s new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.

Currently, two defensive players are at the top of the free agent rankings. Quarterback Kyler Murray has also made his way onto the list after being informed of his release; he is set to become a free agent on March 11. Murray will join a group of free agent quarterbacks that includes Aaron Rodgers and Malik Willis.

All NFL teams have roster needs they must address. Where will the top free agents land? USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon ranks his top 32 free agents for this NFL offseason.

Editor’s note: This ranking is subject to change throughout the free agency period.

Tyler Dragon’s top 32 NFL free agents for 2026

1. LB Devin Lloyd (2025 team: Jaguars)

Lloyd garnered Defensive Player of the Year consideration in 2025. His five interceptions were tied for second in the NFL. Pro Football Focus gave him the second-highest grade (88.4) among qualified inside linebackers. Lloyd has produced at least 113 tackles in three of the last four seasons.

2. Edge Trey Hendrickson (2025 team: Bengals)

Hendrickson has been Cincinnati’s best defensive player for the past few seasons. He possesses strong technique and plays with a high motor. He was limited to seven games in 2025 due to injury, but he had 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons in 2023-2024. His 17.5 sacks in 2024 paced the NFL.

3. C Tyler Linderbaum (2025 team: Ravens)

Linderbaum is an anchor in the middle of the offensive line. He allowed only two sacks and 26 pressures last year with the Ravens. The three-time Pro Bowler was Pro Football Focus’ fourth-highest-graded player among centers with at least 900 snaps last season. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said the team has already extended a “market-setting offer” to Linderbaum.

4. WR Mike Evans (2025 team: Bucs)

Evans’ streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons came to an end in 2025 after a concussion, hamstring injury and broken collarbone limited him to eight games. Were the injuries a sign of Father Time catching up? Evans will turn 33 in August. However, he’s still a legitimate X receiver when healthy.

5. RB Kenneth Walker III (2025 team: Seahawks)

Walker proved his value during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl 60 run. He gained a postseason-high 313 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the playoffs. It will behoove the Seahawks to keep the Super Bowl 60 MVP, but he’ll have some suitors. Walker thrived in Seattle’s outside zone run scheme. 

6. QB Kyler Murray (2025 team: Cardinals)

Murray will officially be a free agent at the start of the league year. The dual-threat quarterback has struggled with consistency and playing within structure but the talent is there. Murray can still be a good starting quarterback if placed in the right situation, with the right pieces around him.

7. Edge Jaelan Phillips (2025 teams: Dolphins/Eagles)

The Eagles acquired Phillips at the 2025 trade deadline for a third-round pick. Phillips’ 44 pressures ranked fourth on the Eagles despite him only playing in nine games, including the playoffs. Phillips likes playing in Philly, but star DT Jalen Carter is eligible for a lucrative extension. The top edge rushers in the open market typically receive massive paydays.

8. Edge Odafe Oweh (2025 teams: Ravens/Chargers)

Oweh’s productivity surged when he was traded to the Chargers. His 7.5 sacks ranked second on the team, and he registered three sacks in LA’s playoff loss to New England. His 81.6 pass rush grade was a Chargers team-high, per Pro Football Focus.

9. OT Rasheed Walker (2025 team: Packers)

Walker is the top-rated offensive tackle entering free agency after starting 48 games the past three seasons for Green Bay. He allowed five sacks and 40 pressures during the regular season and playoffs in 2025.

10. QB Aaron Rodgers (2025 team: Steelers)

There are rumblings that Rodgers could be back for a 22^nd season. If Rodgers does return, it’ll likely be to reunite with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh. The four-time MVP isn’t the QB he once was, but he’s still a capable starter who helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs.

11. WR Alec Pierce (2025 team: Colts)

Pierce enjoyed career-highs in catches (47) and receiving yards (1,003) last season. The 6-foot-3 receiver is a good vertical threat. He averaged 21.3 yards per reception, the highest among qualified players.

12. QB Malik Willis (2025 team: Packers)

Willis is in line for a starting opportunity after successful spot duty with the Packers.  Willis had an underwhelming two years in Tennessee, but he deserves another chance to be a starting quarterback after his time as a backup in Green Bay. Teams are rumored to be interested in Willis as QB1.

13. OT Braden Smith (2025 team: Colts)

Smith gave up one sack and 26 pressures in 766 snaps at right tackle last year. He was placed on Injured Reserve in December due to a concussion and neck injuries. The right tackle will be 30 years old at the start of next season.

14. RB Travis Etienne Jr. (2025 team: Jaguars)

It’ll seem strange if Etienne isn’t in the backfield with his college and Jaguars teammate Trevor Lawrence. Etienne is a versatile running back who can catch passes. He’s topped 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four NFL seasons. He’s also tallied at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage in three of his four seasons.

15. WR Rashid Shaheed (2025 teams: Saints/Seahawks)

Shaheed ignited Seattle’s special teams as soon as he arrived. He was the only player in the NFL in 2025 with both kick and punt return touchdowns. Shaheed told USA TODAY Sports that he “absolutely” wants to re-sign with the Seahawks.

16. LB Quay Walker (2025 team: Packers)

Walker has led the Packers in tackles for four straight seasons. The inside linebacker has compiled more than 100 tackles in every year since Green Bay selected him in the first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

17. Edge Khalil Mack (2025 team: Chargers)

Mack is 35 and entering his 13^th NFL season. His age is the only reason why he’s this low on this free agent list. The veteran is still a proven edge rusher and a stout run defender. He produced 5.5 sacks and 42 pressures for the Chargers last season.

18. WR Romeo Doubs (2025 team: Packers)

Doubs showed the potential to be a team’s No. 1 wide receiver. He led the Packers in receptions and receiving yards last season. The outside receiver has struggled with consistency during his time in Green Bay, but he could be paid like a No. 1 wideout this offseason.

19. TE Isaiah Likely (2025 team: Ravens)

Likely appeared poised to take the tight end mantle from Mark Andrews in Baltimore, but the Ravens re-signed Andrews to a three-year extension in December. Likely and Andrews have been an excellent combo for the Ravens, but another club could offer the top tight end in free agency more money and a chance to be the bona fide starter.

20. Edge Bradley Chubb (2025 team: Dolphins)

The Dolphins informed Chubb in February that they would be releasing him. Chubb led Miami in sacks in two of the last three seasons (2023, 2025). He suffered a torn ACL in 2024. He will turn 30 years old at the start of next season and has recorded 48 career sacks.

21. LB Nakobe Dean (2025 team: Eagles)

Dean started the 2025 season on the PUP list due to a knee injury he suffered during the 2024 postseason. He compiled a career-high 128 tackles in 2024. The 5-foot-11 inside linebacker might be a little undersized but he has a nose for the football.

22. WR Tyreek Hill (2025 team: Dolphins)

The NFL’s most explosive receiver over the last decade. Hill has legitimate track speed but was among Miami’s cap casualties as the Dolphins enter a rebuild. The speedy wide receiver is recovering from a dislocated knee and torn ACL that he suffered in Week 4 of the 2025 season and will likely miss a large chunk of the 2026 season. The injuries and Hill’s age will likely impact his vaunted speed.

23. OG Wyatt Teller (2025 team: Browns)

A top free agent guard. Teller allowed three sacks and 24 pressures in 765 snaps for the Browns last season. He started in 13 games in each of the past two seasons. The 31-year-old offensive lineman is a three-time Pro Bowler.

24. CB Riq Woolen (2025 team: Seahawks)

At 6-foot-4, Woolen has the length that teams covet at cornerback. Woolen occasionally has lapses in coverage that result in big plays, but he does possess the skills to be a starting outside cornerback.

25. LB Tremaine Edmunds (2025 team: Bears)

The Bears decided to release Edmunds ahead of the new league year, a person close to the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Edmunds compiled a team-high 112 tackles last year. He’s registered at least 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons. He’s a sure tackler at linebacker and will only be 28 years old at the start of next season.

26. CB Alontae Taylor (2025 team: Saints)

Taylor has the versatility to play in the slot or outside corner. He’s also an effective blitzer. His seven career sacks rank first in Saints history by a cornerback. He’s started 31 games the past two seasons.

27. CB Jaylen Watson (2025 team: Chiefs)

Watson’s role steadily increased in Kansas City. He started a career-high 15 games last season. He was the Chiefs’ second-best cornerback in 2025, leading the team with two interceptions.

28. S Jaquan Brisker (2025 team: Bears)

Brisker displayed his versatility, lining up in the box and at free safety for Chicago. He tallied one interception and eight pass deflections for a Bears defense that led the NFL in takeaways last year. He has produced at least 93 tackles in three of his four seasons.

29. WR Jauan Jennings (2025 team: 49ers)

Jennings provided steady production at wide receiver for the injury-riddled 49ers. He led all San Francisco wideouts in catches (55) and receiving yards (643). His nine touchdown receptions were a team and career-high.

30. S Coby Bryant (2025 team: Seahawks)

A key member of Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense. Bryant tallied four interceptions, which was tied for second on the team. The free safety started in 15 games this season. He allowed a 59% completion percentage when targeted.

31. C Connor McGovern (2025 team: Bills)

McGovern has position versatility along the offensive line. He started as a guard in Buffalo in 2023, switched to center and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2024. Pro Football Focus gave McGovern a 73.4 pass blocking grade in 2025, which ranked sixth among centers.

32. Edge K’Lavon Chaisson (2025 team: Patriots)

K’Lavon Chaisson led New England with 74 pressures and his 7.5 sacks were second on the squad. The athletic edge rusher is a former first-round pick and has upside at 26 years old.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The Sacramento Kings have played some of the worst defense in the NBA this season. But guard Russell Westbrook offered up some confrontational cover for his younger teammates by blasting reporters following the Kings’ latest setback.

The organization is enduring another brutal NBA campaign, with their one-year revival as a playoff team in 2023 disintegrating into yet another rebuild and the worst record in the league less than three years later. But Westbrook insisted during a tense exchange at a March 5 news conference that local media members are contributing to the problems with ‘false comments’ regarding him and other Kings’ players.

‘You guys have a lot of opinions about how we do what we’re doing. What you got,’ Westbrook asked in the aftermath of Sacramento’s 133-123 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. ‘You make a lot of statements and broad statements that you have no context, so where do you get your context from? Are you in practice? Are you at our film session? Are you anywhere around the building?’

Westbrook declined to elaborate when asked for specifics about what sparked his comments, but continued to answer questions with criticism of the team’s media coverage.

When one reporter noted criticism of the team was fair considering its record and status in the bottom-three of the NBA in offensive and defensive rating this season, the 37-year-old guard said backlash against the Kings (14-50) has too often not been about basketball.

‘You guys’ job is to talk about the game, what’s happening in the game, not stir up a bunch of – I don’t want to cuss here because I don’t want to get fined – but stir up a bunch of stuff that, it’s not accurate and that’s my problem,’ Westbrook said. ‘Being in the league awhile, I’ve been able to experience a lot of these times where people outside of our building, outside of the film session, outside of what we do daily, how much work we put in, that is not an easy job to do.

‘Y’all come in, y’all make your comments, and nobody say nothing. But I don’t have to sit back and say nothing,’ Westbrook continued. ‘… As a leader of this team, it’s my job to speak up for the guys in the locker room. We talk about it. They see it. I hear it. Because of the comments you guys make, you got guys thinking about a bunch of random things that has nothing to do with the game. You guys are making false comments about our team and what we’re doing here, and I don’t appreciate that. So my ask is that you respect what we do and we’ll respect what you do.’

Russell Westbrook stats

Westbrook, now finishing up his 18th NBA season, signed a one-year deal with the Kings in October. They are his seventh team in eight seasons after starting his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 2017 NBA MVP winner is averaging 15.3 points, 6.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds in nearly 29 minutes per game in Sacramento this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin was ejected from Thursday’s game for his slash to the head of Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin.

And now he is looking at a suspension. The NHL Player Safety department said that the center would have a hearing on March 6 for slashing.

Malkin has a history of being suspended for stick infractions. He received a four-game suspension in 2022 for cross-checking and a one-game suspension in 2019 for slashing.

He was responding on March 5 to a cross-check from Dahlin near the Sabres net in the second period. Malkin swung his stick and hit Dahlin in the side of the face and neck. He received two minutes for cross-checking and five minutes and a game misconduct for slashing.

Will Evgeni Malkin be suspended?

Yes, he’s facing a disciplinary hearing and his history will work against him.

What would be the impact of an Evgeni Malkin suspension?

The timing wouldn’t be good because Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is out with an injury suffered at the Olympics. His initial timeline was he would miss four weeks after the Olympics, but a reporter at the Penguins practice on Friday said Crosby was there.

The Penguins currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division.